States Weekly: August 28, 2024

Newsletter by Akshat Singh

Published August 28, 2024

Big News: Delhi releases the draft New Environmental Policy 2024; Gujarat passes the Gujarat Special Court Bill 2024 giving the government power to confiscate and auction illegally obtained assets up to $119,282; Haryana announces a 20 percent quota in government jobs for scheduled caste citizens; Jharkhand announces a monthly financial assistance scheme for women; and more.

Health 

Mizoram launches an online grievances redressal portal to facilitate the submission of public grievances on the functioning of the department and state-run hospitals. Source: North east now; In detail: Grievance Redressal Portal

Climate Change & Energy

Delhi releases the draft New Environmental Policy 2024. The policy includes the creation of an environment health cell aimed at addressing diseases linked to climate change, the expansion of solar-power generation and plans for waste-to-energy plants. Source: PTI

Tripura Electricity Regulatory Commission (TERC) announces the tariff order for FY 2024-25, effective from August 1, 2024. The new tariff comes in response to the petitions for tariff increase filed by the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) and includes an average increase of 7.15 percent. Source: Solar Quarter; In detail: Press Release - TSECL Tariff Order for FY 2024-25

Himachal Pradesh approves a reduction in free power royalty slabs charged from all hydropower producers in the state. Currently, hydropower producers in the state are subject to paying 20 percent royalty in the first 12 years, 30 percent royalty in the next 18 years, and 40 percent royalty in the last 10 years of a project. The rates have been revised to 12 percent, 18 percent, and 30 percent respectively, easing the financial burden on companies in the state. Source: Himachal Scape; In detail: Cabinet decisions

Finance

Nothing critical to report this week.

Industrial Policy & Business Regulations 

Karnataka notifies the Karnataka Excise (General Conditions of Licences) (Amendment) Rules, 2024. The rules reduce the minimum requirement for the operation of microbreweries from 10,000 sq. ft. to 6,500 sq. ft. and allow for three additional dispensing counters within the premises. Source: Deccan Herald; In detail: Karnataka Excise (General Conditions of Licences) (Amendment) Rules, 2024

Land Acquisition & Labor Regulations 

Nothing critical to report this week.

Infrastructure & Governance

Gujarat announces a relief package worth $41.7 million to aid farmers who suffered significant losses due to heavy rains in various parts of the state in July this year. The package follows a comprehensive loss assessment survey conducted across nine affected districts. Source: Financial Express; In detail: Press release

Gujarat passes the Gujarat Special Court Bill 2024. The bill gives state authorities the power to confiscate and auction illegal assets up to $119,282. The bill aims to reduce corruption in the state and can only be applied to individuals booked for serious offences that are punishable by more than three years of imprisonment. Source: Lokmat Times; In detail: Gujarat Special Court Act, 2024

Haryana announces a 20 percent quota in government jobs for scheduled caste citizens in the state. The decision is in line with the recommendations of the Haryana Scheduled Caste Commission Report. Source: Economic Times

Himachal Pradesh approves the implementation of the "Mukhya Mantri Sukh Shiksha" scheme. The scheme aims to provide enhanced financial assistance to widows, destitute women, divorced women, and disabled parents for the upbringing and education of their children. Under the scheme, eligible children will receive a monthly grant of $11.92, which will help cover their educational, health, and nutritional needs until they reach the age of 18. Source: The News Himachal; In detail: Cabinet decisions

Jharkhand launches the "Jharkhand Mukhyamantri Maiyan Samman Yojna" (JMMSY). Under the scheme, eligible women between 21 and 50 years of age from families living below the poverty line will be given $11.92 per month. Source: The Hindu; In detail: Press release

Water & Sanitation

Nothing critical to report this week.

Center - State Relations 

Nothing critical to report this week.

Any Other

Nothing critical to report this week.

Programs & Projects